Gregory Amato
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
What do you think about authors publishing under a pen name or names? For early work, to publish in different genres, or just to create a more marketable name are potential reasons that come to mind.
Michael J. Sullivan
So, pen names are interesting things. I almost used one because there are A LOT of people named Michael Sullivan, and at least 8 of them are authors (one is even Michael J. Sullivan) and I was afraid of getting lost in the pack.
Many times publishers will make an author write under a pen name as a means to "hide" poor sales for an earlier work. The "buyers and computers" look at past sales by a certain name and make their buying decision based on past numbers so a change in name will give an author with disappointing numbers a clean slate. I'm not a fan of this practice, but sometimes the author has no choice as the publisher will force the issue or decline to publish.
People oftentimes use pen names to differentiate between genres. Certainly, if you are writing children stories and gruesome, gritty, crime novels you'd probably be best to use different pen names ;-) So that makes perfect sense to me.
I do know some people who have chosen pen names to get sales "Steven King" trying to get some of "Stephen King" readers. And I find that highly distasteful. You should be able to stand on your own two feet and such "gimmicks" seem dubious at best.
Changing your name because you have a moniker that is difficult to spell or say...well I can see that. I wouldn't do it, if it were me, but I can see why people would.
Personally, I don't like pen names as they put up a "barrier" between the reader and the author. I may be a bit "too personal" and share things in my life (my wife, my daughter, etc), but I think that ability to be open and honest is a good thing...and if you start out by giving yourself a new name to hide behind...well I think it's harder to connect in many ways, so it doesn't "fit me."
Don't take that as me berating people who make those choices, as we saw from my comments above there are many reasons for using pen names. So I guess I'd say - "Fine for other people, but I'm glad I kept my own name."
Many times publishers will make an author write under a pen name as a means to "hide" poor sales for an earlier work. The "buyers and computers" look at past sales by a certain name and make their buying decision based on past numbers so a change in name will give an author with disappointing numbers a clean slate. I'm not a fan of this practice, but sometimes the author has no choice as the publisher will force the issue or decline to publish.
People oftentimes use pen names to differentiate between genres. Certainly, if you are writing children stories and gruesome, gritty, crime novels you'd probably be best to use different pen names ;-) So that makes perfect sense to me.
I do know some people who have chosen pen names to get sales "Steven King" trying to get some of "Stephen King" readers. And I find that highly distasteful. You should be able to stand on your own two feet and such "gimmicks" seem dubious at best.
Changing your name because you have a moniker that is difficult to spell or say...well I can see that. I wouldn't do it, if it were me, but I can see why people would.
Personally, I don't like pen names as they put up a "barrier" between the reader and the author. I may be a bit "too personal" and share things in my life (my wife, my daughter, etc), but I think that ability to be open and honest is a good thing...and if you start out by giving yourself a new name to hide behind...well I think it's harder to connect in many ways, so it doesn't "fit me."
Don't take that as me berating people who make those choices, as we saw from my comments above there are many reasons for using pen names. So I guess I'd say - "Fine for other people, but I'm glad I kept my own name."
More Answered Questions
Ankurita Saikia
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Dear Sullivan, you are an inspiration for new authors like us. I've published my novel, "The Chronicles Of Undiscovered Worlds Under The Sea" back in 2019 but I have pretty less idea how to take it to the world stage. You response is of great value for me. My question is how can I help my little creation to travel more?
Lexi
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Has The Death of Dulgath come out on audio yet, or is it coming out later?
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